1867 Canada NB letter Confederation Customs goods to USA. N.B stamp

New Brunswick letter mailed during 1867 Confederation year, using New Brunswick 5 cents stamp #8, image of Queen Victoria. Customs controller in St John has questions for Customs office in Chatham regarding shipment of wood items to USA. New Brunswick joined Canada on 1 July 1867, but NB’s postal and customs administration continued under provincial structures until early 1868 Addressed to On. H. M. Service The Controller of Customs &c Chatham Miramichi N.B. Contr. St Johns Contents: Custom House St. John N.B. 6th February 1867 The Controller &c Chatham Sir, In your Export Account you state 1000 shooks exported to the States valued at $10.00 OR a cent a piece. please explain to me what kind of shooks these could be at such a very small value Your most obdt. servant Wm Smith Cont. &c Chatham was a regional center for Customs sub‑offices, Shipping, and Timber and fisheries regulation Shooks are pre‑cut, unassembled wooden components used to make boxes, crates, or barrels. They were a major product in the 19th‑century lumber trade, especially in the U.S. Northeast and Eastern Canada, and your customs letter fits this context perfectly. Vertical folds 33 x 21 cm In 1867, the Custom House at Saint John, New Brunswick was headed by William Smith, who held the title Controller of Customs. William Smith served as: Controller of Customs, Saint John, NB Active during the pre‑Confederation period Responsible for customs revenue, port administration, and enforcement of trade regulations A senior civil servant in one of the busiest ports in British North America Saint John was the largest customs port in New Brunswick, so the Controller was a high‑ranking official.